Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano located just east of Naples, Italy. It is the only volcano on the continent of Europe to have erupted in the last one hundred years, though other volcanoes have erupted on islands in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1631, approximately three thousand people were killed by an eruption from Mount Vesuvius. Since 1631, the 4,200-foot high volcano has erupted at least twenty-one times. Mount Vesuvius is considered particularly dangerous because today, nearly three million people live in the direct path of a potential future eruption.
Mount Vesuvius is most famous for its landmark eruption in the year 79 AD, which buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in layers of burning ash. The only account of the eruption that survives is from Pliny the Younger. From his dramatic account, scientists believe the cloud of ash he witnessed that descended upon Pompeii was twenty miles high. The city of Pompeii was completely buried. It was rediscovered in 1748, more than 1600 years after the eruption. The people of Pompeii were found buried under 12 layers of soil. Many of the buildings were amazingly well-preserved, as were the bodies of those who were just going about their daily routines when the eruption occurred. The ruins at Pompeii have provided archaeologists with valuable information about how people in the Roman Empire lived. Today, Pompeii is one of the most visited sites in Italy.
Answer the following questions
1 Which of the following best specifies the location of Mt. Vesuvius?
a Just east of Naples, Italy
b Italy
c Europe
d Southern Italy
2 Why is Mount Vesuvius considered very dangeous?
a It is a very high volcano.
b Because many people live in the path of a possible eruption.
c Because it has erupted before.
d Because it buried Pompeii in the year 79 AD.
3 How many volcanoes have erupted in mainland Europe in the past 100 years?
a More volcanoes have erupted in mainland Europe than on islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
b 1
c It’s impossible to say.
d 0
4 Which of the following is not true?
a Pompeii remained buried under the soil for over 1600 years.
b The ruins at Pompeii have provided archaeologists with valuable information about how people in the Greek Empire lived.
c Mount Vesuvius has erupted 21 times since 1631.
d Three million people live in the path of a possible Mt. Vesuvius eruption.
5 Which of the following would best represent an appropriate title for this passage?
a Volcanoes of the World
b The eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius
c Pompeii’s role in the Roman Empire.
d The history of Herculaneum
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